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IndyCar moves forward without Bernard

IndyCar is already looking forward to 2013 and finding a new CEO to replace Randy Bernard. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

Once Randy Bernard put the finishing touch on 2013 plans, IndyCar's board of directors reviewed his performance. That's when it became clear he wasn't going to continue as CEO.

At least that's how Jeff Belskus, the CEO of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and now IndyCar, explained it in a series of media calls Thursday.

“Once the season was complete and we had finalized our 2013 schedule and the board started reviewing the season like it does after every season and Randy did the same, we compared notes,” Belskus said. “It became clear that the time to explore and entertain the conversation of going separate directions.

“It wasn't a matter of pointing fingers from one side to the other but more of a collective discussion about issues, challenges, successes and how to use each as a learning experience or a springboard moving forward. During these discussions the board and Randy sat down and saw it was time to move on in separate directions.”

Bernard, who took the job in February 2010, resigned Oct. 28.

Bernard has not commented on what transpired.

Belskus said there's no point looking back, in part because. IndyCar has a future to plan out, and that starts with a search for a permanent CEO. There is no timetable for landing one, he said.

There were a variety of controversies in Bernard's final season, including the handling of Honda's larger inlet cover that became known as Turbogate. Bernard fought with team owners over higher fees for the new DW12s and the spare parts that Dallara had exclusive control over, and he rankled the drivers with the double-file restarts.

It's likely that his Twitter post in early June about team owners trying to get him fired set in motion his demise as it seemed everyone in the sport thought he handled that without professionalism.